A Walk in the Park

I decided to post a few videos today of our lives here, and introduce you to our backyard view of San Leo. It was refreshing to get out and enjoy the cool air and to appreciate this beautiful countryside. I hope you enjoy also.

Our class. :)

Our teacher Denise, having her very first peanut butter and jelly sandwich... And she liked it! 

Me, Rebeckah and Kristal, going for a much needed walk. 

The campiano below Rocca de San Leo

Throughout the park there were signs describing activities and exercises for you to try. It was quite comical...

The waterwheel house down by the river.

Again, San Leo in the background 

The real motivation for going on a walk... Gelatto! :)

Summer Solstice

I love being in a place that values tradition and culture! Here in Novafeltria they celebrate the summer solstice with a "Witch Festival" At www.casadeifiori.com I found an explanation of the event with the best description for what I saw:

"Folk traditions consider this seasonal turning point to be magical, a time when bowls of water and fresh flowers are put out to keep the witches at bay, affections are sealed under the auspices of the patron Saint of Friendship, and giant wheels of fire are rolled through the fields to re-enact of the Sun's journey and ensure its cyclical return. In Rome, a feast of snails - whose horns link them to the Devil - ritualizes a triumph over evil. The traditions vary from region to region, even from town to town, with diverse sources, rites, and iconography. But everywhere the essential meaning is the same - a marking of cyclical time, a prayer of Light, and, as the sun begins its descent, a reminder of the transience of all things." 

I was impressed at how involved the townspeople were in the celebrations. The whole piazza was closed for the day in preparation for the evening. Large, circular hay bales stood as sentinels to the square, with witch silhouettes adorning the tops. Out of windows hung stuffed witches of all sorts, attempting to make it into homes and steal children. The fountain in the town center was stuffed to overflowing with willow branches and greenery. Women with fresh flowers lined the streets to help the people ward of the witches. Up and down the road, lamp posts were covered with red fabric crepe streamers, while paper mâché ghouls demons, witches and goblins were trapped by chicken wire at several buildings. It was quite a site!

This got creepier as the night progressed...

See what I mean?

I have been told that the large bales in the background  weigh about 1 ton each!

In every window of this building was a witch. 

The willow in the fountain

The crepe streamer covered lights

A mâché witch running away from the church

A trapped demon!

Our Summer Solstice meal: Fresh green salad, squash, tomatoes, cheese, yummy pot roast, fresh mashed potatoes and sweet carrots! A perfect meal to start the festivities with. 

Sundays suit me just fine

In order for you to really appreciate why I look forward to Sundays so much, you must understand the rigors of this specialized training program. A typical day starts with 8:30 a.m. Italian language classes, a short 30 minute break for lunch and opera rehearsals until approximately 8-8:30... with a short break for dinner in there somewhere. Add weekly private language and diction coaching as well as private voice lessons, the days get full pretty quickly. However, our nights are not complete until we've had a recital, concert or master class. When we finally arrive home, we say our prayers that we survived the day and ask for strength to make it through the next one. Six days a week, this is our life in Italy. Please don't misunderstand, I really do love what I am learning and doing, but can I just say, "Hallelujah for Sundays!!"

However, like most women of our faith, rest cannot be truly achieved without going to church. So we decided to take a trip to Rimini. As we attempted to explain to the bus driver where we wanted to go (with our very broken and immature Italian language skills) I realized that it could be a long day of wandering the city with no guarantee that we'd make it to our destination in time for our worship services. Before the bus even departed, my legs were tired and I was wishing I had brought more water! ;-) 

After an hour long bus ride, we made it to our transfer stop. Today seemed warmer than usual as we looked at the schedule and saw we had missed the connecting bus. Slightly deflated, we realized we had two options: wait or walk. Looking at the map, we resolved ourselves to making the two mile trek. 

I must say, by the end of our little jaunt I was elated to see this sign. 

I don't remember the last time I felt such joy over seeing one of our church buildings. Happy tears streamed down my cheeks as I walked through these doors and made my way to join the congregation. By the time we left, we felt re-energized and ready for the coming week. Every step in the hot sun was worth it. 

What happens when you work hard...

I was going to post videos of two of my roommates singing in tonight's recital, only to discover that its not an option through my blogging app. ??? I will see what I can find out tomorrow and try to share the link or figure out how to post it here. But trust me, it will be worth the wait.

In the meantime, here are pictures of the two up and coming stars. 

Kristal Daniels

Katie Henry

What I am doing In Italy

Today, I realized that some of you may not know what I am doing here in this beautiful part of the world. As I sat in classes in awe (and a bit of jealousy) of the extraordinary talent in this program, I determined that today is a good day to share. 

About one year ago, my sweet husband graduated from college- with a promise that I would return once he had his diploma. True to my word, I enrolled in classes and started a new series of novels in the story of my life. Being a non-traditional student, I didn't quite know if I could handle college life again and vacillated between majors for a short period. For one thing, I didn't want it to take too long. Another issue was my desire to get a degree in something that I wanted to do. It would seem, especially for those who know me, that music was the natural choice. 

The dilemma I faced was having a deep love for Jazz, Big Band and Blues, and not having a specialized program for Jazz Studies at Utah Valley University. Determined to adhere to my goal of getting a degree quickly, I decided I would give the classical approach a shot. After all, how hard could it be???

Well, long story short: I've gotten my trash kicked!! Firstly, classical music is the most challenging music I have ever sung. Secondly, there is always someone with more talent than me. And lastly, I am convinced I will never know all there is to know about technique, pronunciation and breath management. Don't even get me started on the performance anxiety! 

BUT somehow I have learned to love it. I have been blessed with amazing instructors, faculty and administration at UVU. It also helps that I can do it (after I've worked really hard) and that I sound decent. ;-)

 (It's humbling to realize that I wouldn't have been accepted into such anamazing  program if I wasn't.)

I auditioned for La Musica Lirica in January and received my invitation in February to join them this summer. I was in a bit of shock to be given the opportunity given my lack of experience. It seemed that mountains were moved so that I could have this experience and I am enjoying every minute of it. :) Next week, I'll post a video of one of my recitals. I hope it doesn't decrease the number of people reading this blog... Hmmm...

In Italian class this morning. 

The costume room where I will get to use some of my sewing skills later this week! :)

Rehearsal with the Maestro. 

The walk home. 

A Night at the Hospital

So, before you all go crazy with worry, let me say this: I am fine. :) At the risk of sharing too much information, I was admitted to the hospital for excessive hemorrhaging and dehydration. On the very positive side, Italy has great doctors and clean facilities and after today's bed rest, I will be good as new. I look forward to tomorrow's classes and rehearsals with anticipation and high hopes that I'm not too far behind to make a difference. 

Sitting on my balcony two morning ago. Don't I look pretty? ;-)

This is the view looking down. Everything here is so lovely. 

Even the tile

Teatro Sociale where we rehearse and where some of our performances will be. 

Voci di Montefeltro, the school directly across the street from the Teatro where we study Italian, have coaching sessions and voice lessons. 

Dinner tonight with all fresh ingredients! Exactly what I needed after being so sick yesterday. 

My adorable house mates and their enthusiasm for good food. :) Rebeckah Resare, Rachel Sparrow, Kristal Daniels, And Katie Henry. 

A Loving Father

Last night we experienced the most lovely reception by the people of Novafeltria. But it was completely overshadowed by the welcome we received from our host mom and dad. This sweet couple truly understand what Aloha is! Natali and Franco welcomed us like family and made such a fuss about our comfort. In my opinion (completely unbiased, of course) we got the best family here. 

Their love for complete strangers gave me such a deep sense of gratitude this morning. Coupled with the beauty of this magical place, I feel inclined to thank a loving Heavenly Father for all his tender mercies and care. The chronicle of little miracles that brought us here is impressive and in the near future I will list them for you. Suffice it to say, I know God lives, that he is aware of me and that the details in my life matter to him. 

Also, on this Father's Day, I want to tell all those parents out there "thank you!" Without your love, support and encouragement, this experience would be wasted. I honour you today for your sacrifices and guidance, for your charity and examples. I am constantly amazed by my own sweet parents who continue to be such forces for good. But especially, I am thankful for my husband and father to my children. May today find you expressing your own thanks for the life you've been given...

I am truly grateful for mine!